Operating mechanism for washing-machines.



W. V. FRANK. OPERATING MBUHANISM PoR WASHING MAGHINES. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1908.

Patented; 60; 5, 1909.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEicEm WILLIAM V. FRANK, 0F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-THIRD T0 CHARLES OESTERLE AND ONE-THIRD TO GEORGE W. FRANK, 0F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

Application led November 14, 1908. Serial No. @22545,

To all 'whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM V. FRANK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Operating Mechanism for lashing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to operating mechanism for washing machines, and the object of the invention is to provide a powerdriven mechanism of this character which will impart to the agitator a maximum amount of rubbing movement for each operation of the motor piston.

To this end it is a further object of the invention to providemeans for positively imparting to the shaft carrying the agitator both a reciprocatory and a rotatory movement; to directly connect this shaitt to the motor; to provide -means for adjusting the agitator to accommodate the same to the amount of material under treatment; and to provide such a mechanism of a simple construction, thereby enabling a strong, durable mechanism to be built without materially increasino' the size or weight of the machine.

With tIiese objects in View my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in certain combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter to be described, and then more particularly pointed out in the claims. i

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a mechanism embodying my invention: Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the same; and Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional view, taken centrally through a portion of the mechanism.

In these drawings I have illustrated the preferred form of my invention and have shown the same as applied to a washing machine of ordinary construction. The washing machine itself does'not form a part of the invention and-I have shown only so much of thelid 1 of the machine and the agitator 2 as are necessary to an understanding of the invention.l Theagitator 2, as here shown, is of ordinary construction having a series of corrugatlons adapted to engage the material under treatment and is rigidly secured to the lower end of 'an agitator shaft 4 which etends upwardly through the lid 1.

Suitable means are connected to the shaft t for imparting both a reciprocatory and a rotatory movement thereto. This I prefer to accomplish by mounting the motor directly upon the shaft. In the present instance, the motor is shown as an oscillating motor 5, of ordinary construction, and is provided with a centrally arranged hollow shaft extending beyond the cylinder heads on each side of the motor and provided at each end with clutch members 7. VThis motor is so supported as to be held against rotary movement, but to be capable of a certain amount of reciprocating movement in a vert-ical plane. To this end I prefer to provide a supporting frame 8, which is here shown as comprising top and bottom plates 9 and 10 having apertures arranged centrally thereof, as shown at 11 and 12. These plates are connected one to the other by bolts 13 extending through apertured arms 11i extending outwardly from the plates 9 and 10. Each plate is preferably provided with 'three of these arms, formed integral therewith. each of which is adapted to receive one of the boltsl 13. These bolts extend 'through the lid 1 of the washing machine and serre to secure the frame tothis lid. In order that the top and bottom plates 9 and 10 of the frame may be supported in their proper positions relatively one to the other l insert between these plates suitable spreaders. which, in the present instance, consist ot' tubes 15 surrounding the portions of the bolts 13 lying between the plates 9 and 10. These tubes are of a greater' diameter than the apertures in the arms 1l, and, consequently, serve to retain the plates in their proper positions, and, when the nuts are tightened down on the bolts 13, to form a rigid su porting frame. The motor may be monnte on this frame in any suitable manner. In the present instance I have shown the lower cylinder head of the motor as provided with apertured lugs 16 adapted to receive the bolts and their surrounding tubes 15 which form a guide for the motor and serve to hold the same against rotary movement, but permit the same to reciprocate.

Beciprocally mounted in the apertures 11 and 12 of the plates 9 and 10, respectively, are sleeves 17 which are provided at their inner ends with clutch members 18 adapted to cooperate with the clutch members 7 of i the motor shaft, thus causing the sleeve to rotate in unison with said shaft. Each sleeve is 'provided with one or more outwardly extending projections, which, in the 5 present instance, consist of stud shafts 19 having mounted thereon antifriction rollers 20. These projections are adapted to 'engage suitable inclined guides carried by the upper and lower plates, respectively, and thus cause the sleeves 17 to reciprocate vertically as the motor shaft is oscillated. These inclined guides preferably consist of cams 21 mounted on the top and bottom plates. In the'present instance I have shown these cams as substantially V-shaped and formed integral with their respective plates 9 and 10. Each plate is preferably provided with two of these cams arranged on opposite sides of its central opening, the cams of one of the plates-having the1r apices arranged in a vertical plane' extending at substantially right angles to the planes of the apices of the cams of the other plate. Thus, it will be seen that the sleeves 17 form extensions of the motor-shaft and move in unison therewith, and that, by reason of the projections moving along the inclined guides, a reciprccatingmovement is imparted to the motor.

The shaft 4of the agitator extends upwardly through the motor'shaft and its extensions and has its upper end -extending some distance beyond the upper sleeve or extension 17. The upper end of the shaft is cut away on one side so that it is substantially semicircular in cross section, as shown at 22, and is provided on its flat side with a series of teeth 23. An extension or collar 24 is rigidly -secured to the upper end of the upper' sleeve or motor .shaft extension 17' 40 and is provided with a central opening, corresponding in cross section to the cross secetional area of the portion 22 of the shaft 4, and having at one side of said opening a groove 25 to receive the teeth 23, thus enabling the shaft to be moved longitudinally in the collar 24 but holding the same against rotary movement relatively thereto. Suitable means are provided for locking the shaft 4 against longitudinal movement and causing l the same to movev in unison with the motor shaft and its extensions. This means preferably comprises a latch 26 pivotally connected to one side of the' collar 24, as shown at 27, and adapted to extend through a slot 28 in the collar 24 and engage the teeth 23 of the shaft 4. A suitable spring is applied to-the latch 26 to hold the same normall in engagement with the teeth of the sha t 4'and, in the present instance, this spring consists of a flat spring 29 secured at oneend to the collar and havingits other end adapted to engage a toe or project-ion 30 formed on the latch 26 at a point beyond its ivotal connection to the collar 24 and tendlng to move the latch 26 about its pivot-al center and toward the shaft 4. The latch has a handle 31 by means of which it may be moved outwardly against the tension of the spring 29 to release the shaft 4 and enable the same to be moved longitudinally by means of a handle 32 secured to the upper end thereof.

The operation of the device will be readilyunderstood from the foregoing description and it will .bejapparent that, as the motor shaft operates within the casing 5, the agitator shaft 4 will becarried therewith and a rotary movement im arted to the agitator 2. As the motor sha t rotates the projections carried by the extensions atythe opposite ends thereof will engage the inclined guides carried by the supporting frame and will cause the motor shaft and the kmotor to reciprocate vertically. By arranging the cams on the top and bottom plates of the-g5 supporting frame alternately a positive. downward movement is imparted to the shafton both strokes of the oscillating piston, the cam of the upper plate serving, in the present instance, to force the shaft down and the cam of the lower plate serving to elevate the shaft. In. this' manner I secure a maxium amount of rubbing action for each oscillation of the motor shaft and both the rotary movement and the reciprocatory movement are positive, thus adding greatly tothe etliciency of the machine. F urther, the shaft of the agitator is so connected to the ymotor shaft asto move in unison there' with and to enable the agitator shaft to be ad'usted relatively to the motor shaft, thus adJusting theagitator to accommodate the same to the amount of material under treatment. Further, by mounting the motor direct-ly upon the agitator shaft I eliminate all intermediate gearing and apply thepower directly to the agitator, thus greatly increas-l ing the efficiency of the mechanism. 4It will also be apparent that I have provided an operating mechanism of a Very simple character, comprising al minimum number of parts and having these parts of sucha construction as to enable the same to be made of strong, durable material without adding materially to the size or weight of the mech- 115 anism, thus insuring against breakage and adding to the life of the mechanism without rendering the same unwieldy.

I wishitto be understood that I do not vdesire to be limited to the details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

It will be understood that while I have shown and described the invention in connection with the agitator shaft of a washing machine, it is not limited to this use, but may be utilized in connection with other devices in which it is desirable to impart a similar movement to a shaft.

season Having thus fully described my invention,

means for` rotating said shaft, inclined guides arranged on opposite sides of said shaft, pro.-

jections carried by said shaft and adapted .to engage said inclined guides, a part to be -aotfuatemand means for connecting said part to said shaft.

Q. A mechanism of the character described comprising a frame, a motorv mounted on said frame and capable of, a reciprocatingz movement thereon, a shaft connected to said motor, means actuated by the operation of said motor for imparting a reciprocatory movement -to said motor and to said shaft, a part to be actuated, and means for connecting said part to said shaft.

3. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, with a supporting frame, a motor mounted to reciprocate there-l on :and held against rotary movement relatively thereto, a vshaft actuated by said motonand means for imparting a reciprocatory movement to said motor and to said shaft.I of a part to be actuated, and means for connecting said part to be actuated to shaft.

4. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, With a supporting frame, a motor recip-rocally mounted on said frame and held against rotation relatively thereto, a' shaft for said motor, a laterally extending projection carried by said shaft, and an inclined guide adapted to be engaged by .said projection, of a part to be actuated, and means -for connecting said part to be acti-lated to said shaft.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, the-combination, with a supporting iframe, a shaft rotatably and rec1procally -mounted in said frame, oppositely arranged inclined guides supported one above the other on said frame, laterally extendin projections carried by said shaft and a apted to engage said guides, and means for imparting a rocking movement to said shaft, of a part ato be actuated, and means for connecting said shaft to saidpart to be actuated.

(.Y In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, with a supporting frame, a motor mounted to reciprocate thereon and heldagainst rotatory movement relatively thereto, a shaft for said motor, and means for imparting a reci rocatory movemont to said motor and sai shaft, of a second shaft. and means For connecting said second shaft to said motor shaft.

7. In a mechanism of the character dcscrilaed, the combination, with a supporting frame, .a motor mounted to reciprocate thereon and held against rotatory movement relatively thereto, a shaft for said motor, and means for imparting a reciprocatory movement to said motor and said shaft, of a secshaft, and means for adjiistably connecting said second shaft to said motor shaft.

8. In a mechanism of the character delscribed, the eGmbinatiOn, with a supporting frame, :a motor reciprocally mounted thereon and held against rotation relatively thereto, -a'liollo-W shaft for said motor, and means for imparting a reciprocatory movement to' said shaft and said motor, of a second shaft extending through ,said hollow motor shaft, and means for rigid-ly connecting said second shaft to said motor shaft.

9. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, with a supporting frame, a motor reciprocally mounted on said frame and held against rotation relatively thereto, a shaft for said motor, a laterally v extending projection carried by said shaft,

and an inclined guide adapted to be .engaged by said projection, of a second shaft, and means for secu-ring said second shaft to said motor shaft.

l0. In a mechanism Lof the character described, the combination, with a supporting fra-me, a motor reciprocally mounted thereon and held .against rotatory movement relatively thereto, a shaft for said motor, laterally extending projections carried by said shaft above and below said motor, and inclined guide'ways arranged above and 'below said motor adapted to be engaged by the respective projections, of a seoond shaft, and means for connecting said second shaft to said motor shaft.

11. A mechanism of the character described comprising a supporting frame, a motor reciprocally mounted thereon and held against rotation relatively thereto, a hollow shaft for said motor, an extension to said shaft, a lateralk projection carried by said extension, and a guideway adapted to be engaged by said projection, of a second shaft, and means for .secin'ing said second shaft to said motor shaft.

l2. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, with a supporting frame, .a motor reciprocally mounted thereon and held against rotation relatively thereto, a shaft for said motor extending throi h both cylinder heads thereof, extensions or each end of said shaft, projections carried by said extensions, :oppositel-y arranged inclined guides located above and below said .mot-.or and adapted t-o be engaged by said .projection, of a second' shaft, and means for connecting said second shaft to said motor shaft.

13. In a mechanism of the character described, a supporting frame comprising top and bottom plates, each having a centralv projections, an

aperture, guide rods connecting said plates, a motor slidably mounted on said guide rods, a hollow shaft for said motor, extensions for said shaft arran ed above and below said motor and exten ing through the apertures in said plates, projections carried by said extensions, inclined guides carried `by said plates and ada ted to be engaged by said a shaft extendingV through said motor shaft and the extensions therefor and adapted to move in unison therewith.

14. In a mechanism of the character described, a supporting frame comprising top .and bottom plates, each having a central aperture, inwardly extendingcams secured to each of said plates on the opposite sides `0f the aperture therein, rods connectingsaid top and bottom plates, a. motor slidably mounted on said frame between-said top and bottom plates, a shaft for said, motor, extensions for said shaft extending above and below said motor and through the apertures in said topand bottom plates, respectively, projections carried by said extensions and adapted to engage said cams, anda shaft eonn'ected to said motor shaft and adapted to move in unison therewith.

15. In a mechanism of the character described, a supporting frame comprising top and bottom plates, 'each having a central aperture, inwardly extending cams secured to each of said plates on the opposite sides of the apertu-re therein, the apices of the' cams on one of said plates being arranged in a plane extending at substantially right angles to thel apices of the cams carried by the other of said plates, rods connecting said top and bottom plates, a motor slidably mounted on said rods between said top and bottom plates,` a shaft for said motor, extensions for said shaft extending above and below said motor and through the apertures in said top and bottom plate, respectively, projections carried by said extensions and adapted to engage said cams', and a shaft connected to said motor shaft and adapted to move in unison therewith. j

v1G. In a mechanism of the character described, a supporting frame comprising top and bottom plates, each having -a central aperture, inwardly extending cams secured to each of said plates on the opposite sides of the aperture therein, .rods connecting said top and bottom plates, tubular members surrounding said rods and engaging said top and bottom plates, a motor slidably mounted on said lrods between said top and bottom plates, a shaft for said motor, extensions for said shaft extending above and below said motor and through the. apertures in said top and bottom plates, respectively,projections carried by said extensions and adapted to engage said cams, and a shaft connected to said motor shaft and adapted to move in unison therewith.;

1T. 'In va mechanism of the character described, the combination, with a supporting frame, amotor reciprocally mounted thereon and held against rotation relatively thereto, a hollow shaft for said motor, hollow extensions arranged above and below said motor, -project-ions carried by said extensions, and inclined guides carried by said supporting frame above and below said motor and adapted to be engaged by said projections, of a vshaft extending through` said hollow motor shaft and its extensions, and means carried by the upper extension for locking the last-mentioned shaft against movement relatively to said extension and said motor shaft.

18. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, with a supporting frame, a motor reciprocally mounted thereon and held against rotation relatively thereto, a hollow shaft for said motor, hollow extensions arranged above and below said motor,

projections carried by said extensions, and inclined guides carried bysaid supporting frame above and below said motor and `adapted to be engaged by said projections,

said extension and said motor shaft.

19. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, with a su porting frame, a motor reciprocallymount thereon and held against rotation relatively thereto, a hollow shaft for said motor, hollow extensions arranged above and below said motor, projections carried by said extensions, and inclined guides carried by said supporting frame above and below said motor and adapted to be engaged by said projections,

of a shaft extending through said hollow motor shaft and its extensions, having one side flattened for a portion of its length and provided with teeth, a collar carried by one of said extensions and adapted to receive the flat side portion of said shaft to hold the same against'rotatory movement relatively thereto, and a latch carried by said collar \and adapted to engage the teeth in said shaft to lock the same against longitudinal movement relatively to said extensions and said motor shaft.

20. In a mechanism of the character dcseribed, the combination, with a supporting frame comprisingl top and bottom plates, each having a central aperture, cams carried by each of said plates and arranged on opposite sides of the central opening therein, the cams of each of said plates extending toward the other of said plates and having their apices arranged in a plane extending at substantially right angles to the plane of the apices of the cams of the other plate, rodsconnecting said top and bottom plates, tubula1' members surrounding said rods and having their opposite ends in engagement with said plates, a motor slidably mounted on said tubular members, a hollow shaft for said motor, extensions for said shaft arranged above.- and below said motor, extending'through the aperture in the adjacent plate, projections carried by said extensions and adapted to engage the adjacentl cam, of a second shaft extendin through said hollow motor shaft and its extensions, and means for locking said second shaft against either longitudinal or rotatory movement relatively to Said motor shaft. In testimony whereof, atx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM' V. FRANK.

`Witnesses Y GEORGE S. DIAL, F. C. SCHMAHL. 

